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Pricci's Free Daily Feature Race Analysis

Five days per week and every racing day during the Saratoga meet, John Pricci will provide horse racing selections of that day's feature race. When the racing schedule dictates otherwise, there will be analysis from other major thoroughbred Tracks. Check back here 5 days a week for free horse racing selections.

Sunday, June 03, 2012

A Moment to Remember

Based on purse values, there’s a choice of three features today, two state-bred stakes and a preliminary allowances for open class fillies and mares going a flat mile. We’re choosing the latter because we want to gamble that Moment In Dixie (5-2) might be something special.

The early line favorite, Draw It (7-5), is worthy of that kind of respect. When last seen, the 4-year-old filly was finishing second to Awesome Feather in the Grade 1 Gazelle. While the latter has her issues, there’s no denying her talent, given that 2010 juvenile champion has not finished behind a rival yet after seven attempts.

But we’ve been waiting for the Jimmy Toner-trained filly to make her second start since April 29, where she ran off—and we do mean putting some separation between herself and the group after being hand ridden to the lead at headstretch.

The fascinating aspect of the performance was that, at once, she knows how to run but, at the same time doesn’t. Her Equiform performance figure was excellent—not up to Draw It’s best—but right there. Better, however, is the way she distributed her energy, finishing up nearly as fast as she went out.

And all of that without ever changing leads.

Her speed and mid-post draw will put her in position from the start, she’s bred for today’s longer trip, and she has two five furlong works in under a minute for this, both moves termed breezing. I’m excited to see her race; she could be any kind, as they say.

Taking Moment In Dixie to win at 2-1 or greater and exotic key boxes with the favorite, Resonating (10-1), another impressive graduate, Crespano (6-1), well spotted and nicely drawn, and You’re Kidding (15-1), exiting a key race, working well, and showing an affinity for the surface last season.